BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS

Resource officers must return

The discussion surrounding the shooting in Connecticut and putting armed officers in the schools is a good idea.

But let’s go one step further. Our school systems in Chautauqua County had what we called resource officers in them if you can remember. This worked out well.

The officer presented a sense of security and, at the same time, he or she was an educator to the students and set a good example for good behavior. This approach makes more sense than a security guard, which could be viewed as very cold and insensitive.

The reason this has gone by the wayside is due to the song of we do not have enough funds in our budgets to continue this program. Like Connecticut, we can pay now or pay later.

Come on school districts and local and county governments, let us dig deep and put these programs back in full force.